The tragic events surrounding the violent shootings on the Isle of Skye have raised pressing concerns regarding the handling of firearm-related incidents by police in Scotland. On August 10, 2022, Finlay MacDonald perpetrated a series of violent attacks that culminated in the killing of his brother-in-law, John MacKinnon, and the stabbing of his wife, Rowena MacDonald. The horrific nature of these events has sparked inquiries into the police’s response to such escalating violence and the adequacy of existing firearms licensing protocols.
In the aftermath of the violent incident, MacDonald received a sentence of at least 28 years in prison for what Judge Lady Drummond characterized as “brutal and mindlessly violent attacks.” This event has put a spotlight on how police were monitoring MacDonald prior to the critical escalation of violence. Reports indicate that 15 months before the attacks, MacDonald acquired a shotgun certificate and had possession of six firearms, raising questions about the thoroughness of the background checks involved in the firearms licensing process.
Details from MacDonald’s trial revealed police were trailing him following the murder of John MacKinnon; however, unarmed officers were instructed not to intervene against him due to the expectation of an armed response unit arriving from Inverness. Unfortunately, while the officers were ordered to wait, MacDonald traveled to Dornie where he attacked John and Fay MacKenzie. It was only due to the bravery and decisive actions of the injured victims and other officers that MacDonald was eventually subdued. This raised significant concerns about operational protocols and the appropriateness of the police response during the critical moments of the attack.
Critics argue that the directive for unarmed officers not to engage with MacDonald was misguided and could have potentially saved lives. David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, noted that while officers were seconds away when MacDonald attacked the MacKenzies, procedural adherence, at that time, was viewed as the right decision. He emphasized that the existing structure inherently limits the deployment of armed officers, as most officers are concentrated in areas with higher firearm incidents, leaving rural communities like Skye extremely vulnerable.
The lack of immediate armed support due to geographic challenges continues to be a point of contention. The Inverness armed response vehicle was positioned nearly 100 miles away from Skye, accentuating the limitations of police resources in rural settings. Threadgold has underscored these operational challenges, stating that any proposal to increase armed police presence would evoke significant debate, especially given the overall low incidence of firearm-related homicides in Scotland.
Reverend Gordon Matheson, a local pastor who knew MacDonald, expressed concern over the time required for an armed response in emergencies like these. He advocated for stricter firearms licensing processes, especially in regions with high gun ownership and mental health issues such as the Highlands, where incidents involving firearms are exceedingly complex and sensitive.
With a staggering number of legally held shotguns in Scotland, concerns around public safety and mental health have prompted calls for revising licensing procedures. The Scottish Affairs Committee has recommended new measures targeting improvements in the firearms licensing process, particularly concerning mental health assessments for applicants. Recent proposals in England and Wales have also included routine interviews with domestic partners of firearms holders to better ascertain safety issues.
MacDonald’s history of mental health struggles before the attacks, including severe anxiety and depression, underscores the need for meticulous scrutiny of applicants to prevent violent incidents involving firearms. Furthermore, as inquiries continue into the events following MacDonald’s attacks, the results are expected to yield critical insights that could lead to improved firearms legislation and police response strategies across Scotland, enhancing community safety and trust in law enforcement systems.
